Anyone Can Cook Shrimp Ratatouille

About five years ago, I saw the Pixar animated film “Ratatouille” about a rat that loves food, winds up in Paris, and cooks for a five star restaurant by befriending the garbage boy.  A rat cooking for a Parisian restaurant is about as far-fetched as you can get. However, as the restaurant’s deceased head chef that comes back as a ghost to mentor the rat (compelling stuff) says, “Anyone can cook!” One of the dishes the rat serves to a highly regarded food critic and villain of the film is ratatouille. The meal is a big hit, and essentially everyone lives happily ever after. The animation of this movie is incredible so the ratatouille looks absolutely delicious…like heaven on a plate.

I often look through health magazines to find recipes because I find them to be easy to make and not incredibly complicated.  I came across this ratatouille recipe by Liza Schoenfein in Fitness Magazine and was thrilled because I adored the movie and was excited to bring a part of it into our home. This dish is healthy, filling, and unquestionably delightful.  It’s also a great dish to make a huge batch of, serve to a big group (was a big hit with my girlfriends who came into town a few months ago) or bring to lunch with you the next day. I’ve tweaked the recipe to my liking (I omit the mint, thyme, almonds and olives). Here it goes:

 Ingredients:

• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Olive oil
• 1 red onion, roughly chopped
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 zucchini, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 28-ounce can chopped/diced tomatoes
• 1 pound shrimp, shelled and cleaned1.

 Directions:

• In a large pot, coat the bottom with olive oil and cook the red onion in it for about 5 minutes. Use medium heat so nothing burns.
• Mince the garlic and add it to the onion, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers and cook for 5 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper. Allow to simmer for about 20 minutes.
• Within the last 2 minutes of the 20 minute simmer, spray a large skillet with cooking spray and cook the shrimp on each side. Once cooked, add into the ratatouille.
• Sprinkle parmesan cheese to serve and voila! Makes about 4 servings.

Also, this is a great dish to toss with whole wheat penne if you’re feeling in need of carbs!